bubbles1209

Only 11 more days left 'til the Conquest! :D

Hello,

 

I just got off of the Miracle yesterday and the casino left me a letter offering me a free cruise upto 15 days. The terms of the offer are that I have two book within 2 weeks and sale within 6 months.

 

It's doubtful that I will be able to take advantage of this unless I do a 4 day and that seems like such a waste. My question is, has anyone ever received this offer and declined? If you declined did you get another similar offer a few months later?

 

Thanks,

Got the offer, declined, on our next cruise we both got one (significant others, different last names) we both booked & we leave next Thursday! :D

Haven't cruised out of Fort Lauderdale in a while. We're staying the night before the cruise at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina hotel. Is there anyone out there with recent experience on what a cab costs from the airport to the hotel? Hotel to the port shouldn't be that bad I wouldn't think, just need a ballpark idea of current prices. Thanks in advance. :)

Yes Seamusdad is right.

 

It is not only how much you put in, but how much you play. You have to buy in with your S&S card and they track you. There are other factors: how much you bet, how long you play and how much you win and lose. And when I say how much you "win", that doesn't mean you only get offers when you lose money. I have gotten a bounce back letter after winning over $5,000 on a cruise.

 

So wyobean, you said "but what is not being said is that likely the gamblers are paying more for their cruise in the long run than the rest of us., that is untrue. That cruise, I paid for, but with the winnings and the free cruise I took with the offer, I was ahead about 3 cruises.

 

What some people here are not understanding, is that we are talking about the bounce back offers, the one that you receive from the casino that last night of the cruise in the form of a letter under your door. These are offers for a free 3-8 day cruise of your choice because you met the requirements (listed above) in the casino that they want you back. They know, as most gamblers should know, that in the long run, the odds are in their favor that they will get your money.

 

I have gotten 4 bounce back offers before in the past. Earned every one of them, by playing 4-6 hours a day in the casino, betting $30-60 a bet at craps and sometimes going home after a week long cruise with over $5,000 more than I took and others losing my alotted $2500 in a week.

 

I hope that Carnival has not gotten away from these offers, as I have not seen one lately, as these are more intriguing to me.

 

So if you think you are going to get a "free" cruise from Carnival by playing the slots with $100 a day, forget about it.

 

Now the offers you get in the mail or on the Carnival site in "your offers" of reduced fare cruises or Premier Casino Cruises are a different cat. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to these offers as to who gets them and when, but I haven't been able to enjoy one of the many offers I get because they don't seem to be that good of a deal that fits into my schedule.

We got a free cruise offer slipped under our door on the last night of our January cruise and we didn't buy in with our S&S card not 1 single time.:confused: (I'm thinking when you say buy in with your S&S card, you mean pull money off your S&S card to play with? If so we didn't do that, we just put cash in the machine) All we did was leave our S&S card in while we played and let the points build up. His offer and my offer were both for free interior cabins. (yes they gave us 1 in his name, & 1 in my name) We came home, and booked both offers. He booked the offer in his name, I booked my offer, we're taking family and leave out again in June. Only had to pay port fees & taxes. :D

If self-assist is an option for your group, you could do that and all debark at the same time, and before they start doing the zone debarkation.

thanks, had thought of that too, but still curious in case they don't want to try that

Been on my share of cruises before, but have never done it this way before, so here goes. We have 2 cabins booked, 1 with me & a friend under 1 booking, and the other with dh & a friend under a different booking number. We all know that we can all check in & stay together this way before getting on the ship, and that we can switch out room cards once we're onboard. So here's the question. When it comes time to debark, we're platinum, so we have priority debarkation. Because we switch out the room keys earlier in the cruise (so she can be w/ her dh, and me in the same cabin w/mine), will we all still be able to debark together? Will switching out the room keys mess this aspect of it up? If it will, it's no biggy ziggy, we'll hang out on the ship 'til their zone # is called.....but thought it was worth asking. Anyone with any experience with this?

I haven't posted on here in quite some time, so yes, been on plenty of cruises, but normally fly into Fort Lauderdale, this time we're driving. We plan on driving to Fort Lauderdale the day before our cruise in June, and we're looking for a Fort Lauderdale hotel with a park & cruise package where the parking is included. Anyone have any ideas on where we'll find this?

Bon Voyage, Penny and Wayne!

Thanks Kroozfoolz!! Flight for Tampa leaves a little after 1 on Sat. afternoon. All packed & as usual, can't wait!! :D

Thank you!!

Bubbles - I just google mapped it for directions - it says the Mariott Waterside is .07 miles from the port parking and a 15 drive, if that helps.

Thank you!!

Also , if anyone has stayed there lately & grabbed a cab how much it is......in case of rain. Bags are packed & I'm ready to go!! :D

Sorry, meant the Pride, not the Spirit

Can't you walk to the port to catch the Spirit in Tampa? We're staying at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, & if I remember right, I think it's close enough to walk.

We're staying at The Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel. Isn't the port within a couple of blocks from there (if I remember right, yes), & if so, can't you just walk to the port. Also, how much is a taxi from there if anyone knows?

Will be getting ready to board the Pride!! Much needed vacation with rest & relaxation dead ahead!! Just think, drinks of the day & sunshine headed my way! Never been on the Pride, curious to see the decor. Can't wait to go, gonna be a looonnnggg week!!

Today is pretty much over, so 7 more days!! This time next week we'll be at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel!! :D

It's the real deal! We got a 7 day Western, extended balcony for $120 per person plus port fees & taxes. Our total for 2 was $494, taxes & all, plus an onboard credit of $100.00! We sail Jan. 4th out of Tampa :D

We're staying at the Marriott Waterside Hotel the night before our cruise in Tampa. What's the best bet for getting to the port? Cab? Is there a shuttle? We went out of Tampa once, years ago & can't remember.Also, what is there to do the night before the cruise? Thanks in advance :)

Told him what I found and he said something about us receiving the Pack and Play rate, right on the "snail" mail we received from Carnival it gives us our codes ....PVP looked things up and had the codes and proceeded to do my booking for me. Keep in Mind that in order to receive the casino cash, etc. you must bring the offer mail with you - I have it safely tucked in with our passports, etc and have spent the better part of today booking our air fare and hotel room, etc. We are going to add a few days on before the cruise to enjoy Tampa in January, after all Maine will be cold.

 

My invitation says request fare code PC3 and hubby's says request fare code PC2.

 

Oh wow, just noticed a PS - it says ....

P.S. Our first time Premier cruisers like you can expect an extra surprise as a special welcome.

 

Says that on both of our offers - we have never been able to use these offers before so we are extra excited.

See, that's what I'm hoping DH did. I was at work when he talked to our PVP. He said he got an offer for the 2 of us to take a 7 day western, on Pride for $494 including port charges & taxes for the both of us...not per person...and we have $100.00 obc! Now I see our offer that came in the mail for $300 in casino cash....premier cruise offer....and I'm wondering which fare code was used. If it wasn't this one, I doubt we can switch it without penalties, & if that's the case, I certainly don't want to lose the per person rate we already have. Will just call my PVP to find out........when he comes back from vacation.

Well, I guess I have no idea....... All of my prior cruise documents are marked like this. Sorry I replied, please forgive me

I booked Early Saver but nowhere does it say that. I'm hoping the price protection mentioned in note 1 is referencing that. Here is what my guest notes say:

 

1) Offer is capacity controlled and category restrictions and exclusions apply. Onboard credit is non-transferable and non-refundable. Changes made to the reservation may result in the assessment of cancellation penalties or service fees. Cancellation penalties apply. Subsequent upgrades in lieu of price protection will no longer be offered.

2) Changes made to the reservation may result in the assessment of cancellation penalties or service fees. Cancellations prior to final payment due date will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit less a $50 pp service fee. If you find a lower cruise rate, based on the total cabin occupancy & not from the booked ancillary services, such as air, transfers, prepaid gratuities, or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses contact your Travel Agent or http://www.Carnival.com. Price protection does not apply to Super Saver, group rates, membership rates, select promotions, or travel agent promotions. Subsequent upgrades in lieu of price protection will no longer be offered. A $50 fee per guest will be assessed for ship/sail date changes made prior to final payment date.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's mine

GUEST NOTES

1)*This is confirmation that a payment was posted associated with your booking.

2)*A valid and qualifying VIFP Club Member number is required from at least one person in each stateroom to be eligible for this rate. Onboard credit is non-transferable and is provided as a non-refundable onboard credit. Cancellation penalties apply.

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Bingo, you have the rate you booked under "Past Guest"

I don't think that's it, because some of the casino offers require that too. :confused:

It's not under guest notes. There's a 1,2 under guest notes, & after scrolling down, 1 means money has been received by them, & 2 means a past guest number is required.

Say you have booked & paid off a cruise. Is there anywhere you can look online.....(booked direct, not with a t.a.) to see what fare code was used?

Both Hubby and I got the pack and play offer - and, our daughter wants to join us! Incredible! We're on the Pride in January - booked a balcony for daughter's friend and I for $448 - also includes $100 on board credit, $400 casino cash, Premier check in, Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party, complimentary drinks in the casino, players club gift, premiere only events and tournaments. Hubby's room was a little more - $600 and he gets all the same as I do except $400 casino cash and no on-board credit.

 

Jumped on it and never looked back - what a wonderful way to start the year.

 

Just Noticed Hubby got a PC2 code and I got PC3 code which is why I have the $100 on board credit and he doesn't - but he gets the $400 casino cash and I get $300 - kind of evens itself out.

Where do you look to see what fare code they used?